1
as in temperate
avoiding extremes in behavior or expression
he was only a moderate drinker, generally stopping after a couple of glasses of wine
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in central
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
the principal's moderate position on cell phones is that students can use them at school but only for emergencies
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3
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
a moderate snowfall was forecast for the region
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4
as in mild
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
a city that is celebrated for its moderate climate
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as in centrist
a person who holds moderate views
to the community's detriment, moderates were often shouted down at town meetings by the local hotheads
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as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the wind began to moderate as the night wore on
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as in temperance
an avoidance of extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits
the kind of person who does everything in moderation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2025
One in Florida offers low and moderate income residents up to $10,000.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2025
David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
But the hopes that moderates have harbored about Meloni are misplaced.
—Nathalie Tocci, Foreign Affairs, 26 Mar. 2025
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Actress, mental health advocate and former Peloton instructor Kendall Toole, who moderated the chat with Beckham, has also recently started taking the supplement.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Newsom is reportedly eyeing a 2028 presidential run and has been accused of taking steps to recalibrate his image for a more moderate national electorate.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2025
One in Florida offers low and moderate income residents up to $10,000.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
When Democrats controlled the Senate during the Biden Administration, only the opposition of a pair of moderates—Manchin and the then senator Kyrsten Sinema—saved the filibuster from extinction.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
But the hopes that moderates have harbored about Meloni are misplaced.
—Nathalie Tocci, Foreign Affairs, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
For most people, peak bone mass occurs between ages 25 and 30 and, by age 40, most people are beginning to lose bone mass, though that rate of loss can be moderated by diet, exercise and good lifestyle habits.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Actress, mental health advocate and former Peloton instructor Kendall Toole, who moderated the chat with Beckham, has also recently started taking the supplement.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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Spanish canals operated in a temperate climate and were managed by individual farmers who could maintain or increase their water flow.—
Ari Caramanica,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2025
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In fact, the more temperate weather can be the best time to snuggle up outside, sit by a fire pit, and enjoy a new piece of outdoor furniture.—
Shea Simmons,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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The forthcoming rain was good news for crews battling a wildfire in central New Jersey that erupted on April 22 and has consumed 12,250 acres.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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These efforts solidify India's role as a central partner in the U.S.'s Indo-Pacific strategy, especially as tensions with China continue to escalate.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The American Public Health Association says that as global average temperatures rise, these trends will continue and make allergies an increasing public health concern.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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April is typically the most expensive month to fly from New Delhi to Srinagar — the largest city in Jammu and Kashmir — with average prices ranging from $175 to $255, according to Google Flights.—
Monica Pitrelli,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Many expect a recession − defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth − albeit perhaps a mild one.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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Regularly clean your makeup brushes and sponges with a gentle cleanser or mild soap to prevent the buildup of bacteria.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The number of Jesuits globally has steadily decreased since the 1960s, when there were more than 36,000.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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Weeks 5 and 9 deliberately decrease your amount of running time after several weeks of building.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Simmons' initial reaction to the insult was a bit more restrained than his typical unfiltered comments.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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This year, the prestigious but far more restrained perpetual calendar was the complication of choice.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The median list price climbed 6.2 percent in March, compared to a year earlier—the biggest increase since September 2022.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
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Here’s a breakdown of costs and sales in the South Florida housing market in March 2025 compared to the same period a year ago: What is the median sales price of a single-family home? Miami-Dade County: $670,000 in March, up from $650,000 a year ago.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Follow discipline with a calm, comforting debrief Debriefing conversations should be gentle and happen after everyone has calmed down.—
Caroline Fleck, Contributor,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2025
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This square isn’t necessarily gentle, but these big, bold and potentially unsettling shifts are ultimately necessary for our growth.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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